10 of the World's Most Dazzling Hot Springs

By Blythe Copeland, TreeHugger

The same geothermal heat that can help you reduce your electricity bill is responsible for some of the world’s most stunning natural wonders: Hot springs.

When hot water bubbles up through the Earth’s crust, the resulting pools are soothing, mineral-rich springs that have been used for medical, therapeutic, and spa treatments for centuries — and also leave behind minerals and sediment that create dazzling landscapes.

Grand Prismatic Spring and Midway Geyser Basin

Yellowstone‘s Grand Prismatic Spring, at 370 feet across, is the third-largest hot spring in the world, and the biggest in the United States (the other two are in New Zealand); the temperature ranges between 147 and 188 degrees Fahrenheit. The location of the spring — atop a mound of earth — means it’s surrounded by stepped terraces, and the spring gets its color from a variety of factors: The blue water changes pales as the depth changes, the green outer ring is algae, and the yellow, red, and orange are the borders of the spring.

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Read more: Do Good, Nature, Nature & Wildlife, Hot springs, slideshow

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
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Joan S.

1:14PM PST on Dec 28, 2011

very cool just love our planet and all is gifts

send a green star

Past Member .

1:06PM PST on Dec 28, 2011

what a lovely nature
i wanna see that in real

Marie W.

4:14PM PST on Dec 25, 2011

Hot springs are such treasures.

Michele W.

8:14AM PST on Dec 25, 2011

Thank you

Carole R.

6:04PM PST on Dec 21, 2011

Thank you for sharing this.

Carmen S.

7:10PM PST on Dec 19, 2011

beautiful, thanks for sharing

Aditi G.

1:30AM PST on Dec 17, 2011

OMG,I wish I could see these...damn.I've got to travel more..kudos folks!Thanks for the article...

Carol P.

6:57PM PST on Dec 16, 2011

Thanks for the article. I love the wonders of nature and it was good to be reminded of the power and awesomeness of our planet. That one in Iceland looks gorgeous!

Gary C.

8:14PM PST on Dec 12, 2011

Who needs tv when you have the splendors of mother nature.... Thankyou...

Virginia E.

9:54PM PST on Nov 28, 2011

mothernaturemakesprettyplacestollokandenjoy